1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat
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2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imaginative
Act 2 is a little more musically imaginative.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
There, ladies and gentlemen rode the moors, shot pigeons, and did other wildly romantic activities for an imaginative eleven-year-old.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Act Two is a little more musically imaginative.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
To most Americans, Roald Dahl is a children’s book author — the imaginative, intimidating, and somewhat insane mind behind beloved books like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
There, ladies and gentlemen rode the moors, shot pigeons, and did other wildly romantic activities for an imaginative eleven-year-old.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Act Two is a little more musically imaginative.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
To most Americans, Roald Dahl is a children’s book author — the imaginative, intimidating, and somewhat insane mind behind beloved books like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
Adjective
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Sides, all inventive, include elote or cilantro rice along with the typical coleslaw, potato salad and beans.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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Yiaga’s degustation menu is distinctly Australian—meaning, inventive and collaborative.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Expecting the largest gathering of Guild and Television Academy voters outside Los Angeles and New York, the event offers a unique platform for innovative storytelling, cementing Newport Beach as a hub for creative excellence in the evolving landscape of television.—
William Earl,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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But because the field has long existed slightly under the radar, many artists have been free to develop innovative approaches—such as fabric manipulation or, in my case, fabric assemblage.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Romantic and creative discussions are also favored.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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The return of control and Guardiola’s 4-2-2-2 setup seemed to squeeze Cherki to the margins, despite his creative output and joie de vivre.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Make working from home more enjoyable with a clever USB desk fan ($8) and soothing essential oil diffuser ($7).—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
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Through it all, the cats remain the center of her world — unpredictable, clever and endlessly entertaining.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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So should Soufiane El-Faouzi, also 23, who plays deeper and is more combative, but is no less talented.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Sabres are a more talented team than the Bruins.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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